NASCAR: Eric McClure recalls details of Talladega crash

Walking gingerly into the media center at Darlington Raceway Eric McClure was battered but optimistic following a frightening crash on Saturday at Talladega.

McClure's Nationwide Series car went full-throttle into the inside wall at the high banked speedway. The track was red flagged to remove him from his damaged car and repair the damage to the SAFER barrier.

He said that he could remember "bits and pieces" of the accident including that he felt his heart "sink" when he felt the car had no brakes.

He was taken to a hospital in Birmingham, Alabama and was released a few days later.

McClure joked "I've always dreamed about coming to media center, but, not under these circumstances." He was referring to the fact that it was usually race winners and pole winners who came for interviews.

"There have been some good things to come out of this week, I got to meet Jeff Gordon", he added. "I'm doing OK. About as well as could be expected. Definitely sore and battling some things this week. But I'm thankful."

Thanks to the SAFER barrier and safety designs of the relatively new Nationwide series car he suffered no serious injury other than the concussion. Under NASCAR rules drivers are not allowed to race immediately following a hospitalization for a concussion.

His biggest battle was "internal bruising." So he will consult with physicians to see when he can get back in his race.

Perhaps adding insult to injury his transport to the hospital gave him a fright. "I remember being really scared on the helicopter, because I don't like to fly," he said.

It will take at least two week before he can race again.

"I'd love to be back in the car as soon as possible," McClure added "I wish there weren't fun race tracks coming up".